Shortly after his visit to get a very early preview of Total War: Rome 2 last year, a 24-year-old gamer named James died, taken by liver cancer in the prime of his life. Eurogamer reports that Total War studio Creative Assembly was so touched by the short time it spent with James that his image will be included as a soldier in the game.

James' condition already was terminal; his visit had been arranged by The Willow Foundation, a UK charity in which patients like James may enjoy a special day with their families. He was accompanied by his brother on the visit.

At Creative Assembly last summer, the studio scanned James' face and put him into the Roman siege of Carthage, as a Roman soldier. Craig Laycock, the Total War community manager, told Eurogamer that James was playing a pre-alpha build of the game, offering informed and concise suggestions for improvements. His knowledge of and love for the game showed, meriting his inclusion, Laycock said.

"Although he won't get the chance to see Rome 2 released," Laycock said, "he will live on in some small way in our game." It should release later this year.